Aztec Mfg is closed - frame milling needed

[CRL]

Just noticed that Aztec Mfg just closed. Does anyone know if their N scale frame milling operation has been assumed by anyone? I’ve just re-entered the hobby and have many Atlas and Kato pre-DCC locomotives that I need to convert to DCC.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

http://tcsdcc.com/1287-0
http://tcsdcc.com/1286

Don't mill if you don;t have to. These two decoders will fit 90% of pre-dcc split frame engines.

If you have really tight clearance issues, or just want a one board solution, try this:
http://tcsdcc.com/1549
It has one built in LED and a 12v funtion for a reverse light.

Digitrax has something similar:
http://www.digitrax.com/products/mobile-decoders/dn126m2/
Built in LED plus two output functions.

TCS decoders run well right out of the box. I find Digitrax to be a bit harder to program and less intuitive. But once they are programed they seem to run well.

[GhengisKong]

Well that is less than desirable. I was planning on sending out about $100 worth of frames to be milled. I am keeping this thread saved in case someone other than Aztec comes along.

[GhengisKong]

http://tcsdcc.com/1287-0
http://tcsdcc.com/1286

Don't mill if you don;t have to. These two decoders will fit 90% of pre-dcc split frame engines.

If you have really tight clearance issues, or just want a one board solution, try this:
http://tcsdcc.com/1549
It has one built in LED and a 12v funtion for a reverse light.

Digitrax has something similar:
http://www.digitrax.com/products/mobile-decoders/dn126m2/
Built in LED plus two output functions.

TCS decoders run well right out of the box. I find Digitrax to be a bit harder to program and less intuitive. But once they are programed they seem to run well.

For the LL FA1 and old Kato F units, the Aztec option couldn't have been beaten.

[peteski]

http://www.aztectrains.com/

Aztec Mfg closed?  That stinks!  Too bad that John didn't find a buyer for the business (not sure if he even tried to sell it).

[paggs]

Check out Details N Scale if your need any frames milled. Visit:http://www.detailsnscale.com/digital.htm

[peteski]

Check out Details N Scale if your need any frames milled. Visit:http://www.detailsnscale.com/digital.htm

Hmmm . . . the web page you pointed to states that they use Aztec-milled frames. Not anymore . . .
Seems that the only extra millling they do is for extra lights.

[rapidomike]

The club im in picked up one of these bad boys: https://www.amazon.com/Cross-Slide-Milling-Machine-Holding/dp/B009UP2VZS - Fits your average tabletop drill press (we picked up a used one for 50 bucks).

Don't mill if you don;t have to. These two decoders will fit 90% of pre-dcc split frame engines.

If you want sound in anything, you're most likely going to be milling.

[garethashenden]

The club im in picked up one of these bad boys: https://www.amazon.com/Cross-Slide-Milling-Machine-Holding/dp/B009UP2VZS - Fits your average tabletop drill press (we picked up a used one for 50 bucks).

Hmm, that has some interesting design decisions. The vice handle and y-axis handle are on opposite sides. This will make it either hard to adjust in Y or to get the part in and out. Then there’s the issue of drill press bearings not being designed for the lateral forces that milling machines experience. It will probably work for a while, especially in light use. But it’s not really a solution I’d recommend. On the other hand, if you want to drill a bunch of precisely spaced holes, this looks like it could do that.

[rapidomike]

Hmm, that has some interesting design decisions. The vice handle and y-axis handle are on opposite sides. This will make it either hard to adjust in Y or to get the part in and out. Then there’s the issue of drill press bearings not being designed for the lateral forces that milling machines experience. It will probably work for a while, especially in light use. But it’s not really a solution I’d recommend. On the other hand, if you want to drill a bunch of precisely spaced holes, this looks like it could do that.

It is definitely not as precise as a proper milling machine, and the lateral forces on the bit are definitely noticeable. With that being said, it still gets the job done, and is great for removing part of the fuel tank on Kato chassis' to put a speaker in.

[mmagliaro]

You may already know this, but just in case, make sure you use end mills in your drill press, not drill bits.  Drill bits will just rub and rub forever if you try to cut sideways with them.

As for bearing wear, yes, a drill press isn't designed to cut sideways.  But for milling a handful of your own loco frames, it will be fine.  Just go easy and cut out 1/16" wide sections of metal or less with each pass.   If you were to be doing this on a regular and continuing basis for dozens of frames, then you would beat up your drill press bearings and it would be ruined.  But I doubt that will happen for just a handful of little loco frame cuts.

End mills....

[JMaurer1]

I met John back when he was just starting to pad print cars and was still in the SF Bay area. He's a great guy that provided a great service. I'm surprised that he has closed Aztec...seems like without much warning, but it also sounds like he had a buyer for his equipment and it was time. I LOVE my track cleaning cars (I have several) and my L.E. NWP, SP, and WP box cars. Have a great retirement John and thanks for the memories.

[ryan_wilkerson]

Dang, this is a bummer. A couple years ago I purchased one of each of a few frames to try out before I ordered enough to do all of them. I guess I had enough time and wasted it.
Isn't John Claudino the owner?

[mmagliaro]

I guess it's time for a few of us from this forum with milling machines to step up and start milling frames for people.  If the deal was that the owner disassembled the loco and sent only the frames, and could mark on the frame with a sharpie what they want milled out, that would make it a pretty straightforward job.

Question:  Would that be acceptable to most people?  Or would you be expecting the person doing the milling to know exactly where to cut out the frame and how deep to make room for a decoder and/or speaker?

[wazzou]

As I understood the business model, Aztec maintained a cache of milled frames so when you sent yours in, he returned a milled one and added yours to the "frames requiring milling" pile.